Pacific Energy Super 27 vs. Lopi Endeavor

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isipwater

Feeling the Heat
Jun 6, 2013
371
Southeastn, AZ
Hi,

This will be my first wood stove. After lots of research, I have narrowed down our stove choices to either the Pacific Energy Super 27 or the Lopi Endeavor.

As I understand it, these are both good quality stoves. The one main difference is that the Endeavor has a bypass damper and the PE does not.

Are there any other important differences between these two stoves?

Thank you.

Here is the link to my original thread on my project:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/assistance-selecting-stove.110440/
 
The Super 27 is legendary. Do it.
 
Not sure what is being referred to above in post #2, but the Lopi Endeavor wood stove has no tension adjustment or gaskets associated with the bypass damper. The Endeavor is a good, solid, simple, steel stove with a nice firebox size and configuration. The Super 27 is a great stove, as well. Rick
 
Not sure what is being referred to above in post #2, but the Lopi Endeavor wood stove has no tension adjustment or gaskets associated with the bypass damper. The Endeavor is a good, solid, simple, steel stove with a nice firebox size and configuration. The Super 27 is a great stove, as well. Rick

My Lopi Leyden does, the bypass damper design must differ from the Endeavor. Feel free to delete or ignore.
 
The Super 27's are known for having very long burn times for its size (and not being a cat stove). Both are super solid stoves with the overall build quality maybe slightly in the favor of the Lopi IMHO.
 
^^ Right, the Leyden's a top-load downdraft stove. Very different in a number of ways from the Endeavor/Liberty type secondary burn tube stoves. Rick
 
I have the Super insert and would buy it again. Great heater; if your house is as well insulated as you say it should have no problem heating it. I like the N-S loading (although I think the Lopi is the same) and the baffle system is bomb-proof. The best burn-times I get are 8 to 9 hours but with some really dense hardwood (oak, black locust) you could probably extend that even more. That is the best you can get for a non-cat stove that size. If you like the dealer/installer do it.
 
Hi Isip- Were you able to look at the Enviro stoves? The 1700 Kodiak would be right up your alley. If not, either of those stoves are good choices, but I like the PE secondary floating baffle system, very efficient, patented one of a kind design..
I'd think prices are about the same- good luck. You'll be happy with either stove too.
 
It comes down to personal preference. These were my first two choices and are technically comparable. You will be happiest with whichever you like the better.
 
I love my PE. Pretty much the same fire box.

It's an awesome heater.
 
It comes down to personal preference. These were my first two choices and are technically comparable. You will be happiest with whichever you like the better.

So, in the end, what tipped you to choose the PE? Thanks.

Also, any problems with smoke coming in the house when starting fire or reloading since the PE does not have a bypass damper? I am wondering if the Endeavor has an advantage given that it has a bypass damper and the PE does not.
 
Hi Isip- Were you able to look at the Enviro stoves? The 1700 Kodiak would be right up your alley. If not, either of those stoves are good choices, but I like the PE secondary floating baffle system, very efficient, patented one of a kind design..
I'd think prices are about the same- good luck. You'll be happy with either stove too.

Can you please explain how the PE's secondary floating baffle system is unique or different than the Lopi Endeavor's baffle?

Also, what do you mean by "floating?"

Thanks.
 
Hi Isip- Were you able to look at the Enviro stoves? The 1700 Kodiak would be right up your alley. If not, either of those stoves are good choices, but I like the PE secondary floating baffle system, very efficient, patented one of a kind design..
I'd think prices are about the same- good luck. You'll be happy with either stove too.

I checked the Enviro 1700 but it does not have the clearances I need since I am short on space. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
Here are pictures of the baffle of the PE Summit, the Super looks essentially the same:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...-this-ones-answers-some-questions.9251/page-2
The metal block with the holes is the baffle. It sits on the metal holders to either side but is only secured with that pin in the back. It is very heavy but very durable, too.

Here is a picture of the burn tubes of Lopi: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/lopi-endeavor-cleaning-questions-pics.89898/

If you want to know more I would suggest to go to your dealer(s) where they can show you the two baffles and how to get them out and back in. That is what you will need to do if you want to clean the chimney (at least for the Super, I assume also for the Lopi).
 
The floating baffle is unique in that it combines the secondary distribution air, baffle and insulation all in a stainless box. This makes cleaning easier, eliminates the concerns about breaking the baffle board, and together with the stainless side rails, makes a simply rebuildable system. The mid-sized PEs also have a unique linked secondary control that works well to extend the burn.

pe firebox.JPGclick to enlarge
 
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So, in the end, what tipped you to choose the PE? Thanks.

Also, any problems with smoke coming in the house when starting fire or reloading since the PE does not have a bypass damper? I am wondering if the Endeavor has an advantage given that it has a bypass damper and the PE does not.
It was a close call, but in the end, I guess I liked the secondary/baffle system in the PE. Also, as I recall, the Lopi comes with feet only as opposed to a pedestal and my installation required an OAK (outside air). I wanted a pedestal to hide the OAK which was offset and would have looked awkward if exposed.

I will leave the bypass issue for others, but I don't think it's an issue. I've never had a problem.

The secondary burning system on the Super27 consists of a hollow stainless box with holes in it which doubles as a baffle. The Lopi and most other models consists of tubes running under a passive baffle. The Super27 system works well, but frankly, so do the the more conventional tube systems. The bottom line is efficiency. I do like that the the secondary baffle on the Super27 can be easily removed for chimney cleaning which I did this week.
 
The floating baffle is unique in that it combines the secondary distribution air, baffle and insulation all in a stainless box. This makes cleaning easier, eliminates the concerns about breaking the baffle board, and together with the stainless side rails, makes a simply rebuildable system. The mid-sized PEs also have a unique linked secondary control that works well to extend the burn.

View attachment 106502click to enlarge

Very informative! It seems quite sturdy and well engineered.
 
As a PE owner I admit a bit of bias. Both the PE and the Lopi are first class stoves. You won't go wrong with either choice.
 
Here are pictures of the baffle of the PE Summit, the Super looks essentially the same:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...-this-ones-answers-some-questions.9251/page-2
The metal block with the holes is the baffle. It sits on the metal holders to either side but is only secured with that pin in the back. It is very heavy but very durable, too.

Here is a picture of the burn tubes of Lopi: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/lopi-endeavor-cleaning-questions-pics.89898/

If you want to know more I would suggest to go to your dealer(s) where they can show you the two baffles and how to get them out and back in. That is what you will need to do if you want to clean the chimney (at least for the Super, I assume also for the Lopi).

Helpful comparison.
 
As a PE owner I admit a bit of bias.

Yep, we PE owners just keep pounding Isipwater into submission. Where are the Lopi owners? They must be out there somewhere, don't they? ;lol
 
Can't speak about the Lopi but coming first from an insert with burn tubes and relatively light weight baffle boards sitting on them (Century), I much prefer the stainless baffle on the Summit insert with it's positive locking pin at the back.

The problem with the baffle tubes and boards with the Century insert was that when trying to load the stove full, the burn tubes on top got in the way and if I wasn't careful the baffle boards could get moved into an incorrect position leaving a gap (like burning with an open bypass) where I was burning inefficiently. Eventually I learned to regularly check the position of the boards to fix any gap shortly after it happened, but still the PE system is superior with a smooth and stable firebox top and was a factor in my selecting the Summit.
 
Can't speak about the Lopi but coming first from an insert with burn tubes and relatively light weight baffle boards sitting on them (Century), I much prefer the stainless baffle on the Summit insert with it's positive locking pin at the back.

The problem with the baffle tubes and boards with the Century insert was that when trying to load the stove full, the burn tubes on top got in the way and if I wasn't careful the baffle boards could get moved into an incorrect position leaving a gap (like burning with an open bypass) where I was burning inefficiently. Eventually I learned to regularly check the position of the boards to fix any gap shortly after it happened, but still the PE system is superior with a smooth and stable firebox top and was a factor in my selecting the Summit.
Right. I've seen quite a few people here discussing how easy it is to break or move a baffle. That won't happen with PE's stainless box.
 
The Lopi Endeavor uses firebrick over the tubes for a baffle. It is tough, though I suppose it could be displaced if bumped hard.
 
Is there a WAF factor here at all? Sometimes that can be the tie-breaker;)
 
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